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We have been writing articles for The Local Buzz magazine for a little while. Here is a copy of one of the articles: Many historic buildings are hidden in plain sight. For example Thatcham House, Thatcham Farm, Monks Chambers and Crown House are all historic buildings that can easily be seen within a few minutes of the town centre. However how many know that there was once a castle a short distance away? Chamberhouse was once part of the Crookham Estate. It is commonly thought the name is derived from the 13th century owner, Roger de la Chambre. The estate became the property of Sir John Pury...Read more

Thatcham Historical Society officially opened the Tomlin Popup exhibition tonight (8th October). A range of guests from the local community and organisations heard a short talk about the exhibition. The exhibition is a partnership between the libraries services, West Berkshire Museum and Thatcham Historical Society. The museum is aiming to have popup exhibitions in surrounding towns and villages, this being the second popup exhibition. Chairman of Thatcham Historical Society, Nick Young, said " the idea is not only to promote the museum but to showcase some of the materials and highlight the...Read more

Stewart Hofgartner joined us tonight, 30th April 2018, to look at members antiques and collectables. Members were invited to bring items along for Stewart to not only value but tell us something about the items. One of the first items looked at was a small metal bull with a bristle back. The item dated to the second half of the 1800's and turned out to be a pen wipe. Other items viewed and talked about included bells, bracelets, fish knives and bread forks. There was a wide range covering various aspects of history from the last several hundred years.Read more

Fancy joining us and discovering many other local heritage groups. Then why not pop along to the "Local Heritage Roadshow" in April? West Berkshire Museum, Saturday 28 April 2018, 11am - 3pm Meet members of the archaeological and heritage societies in West Berkshire Find out how our heritage is promoted across the district Discover interesting research into the district’s heritage Speak to West Berkshire Heritage staff about their work Get involved with your local historyRead more

Local historian Penny Stokes spoke tonight (26th Feb 2018) on "The Story of Greenham Common." Penny noted that although we often think of RAF Greenham Common there is much more history tot he area, an area that technically is Greenham and Crookham Commons. There was once common land stretching along the length of the southern border of Berkshire, much of little interest or of use for farming. In 1872 one of the biggest military maneuvers took place with over 16,000 soldiers encamped on the common for two days. Two hundred years prior Parliamentarian soldiers would have been moving across the...Read more

Thatcham Historical Society held their Annual General Meeting on the evening of the 29 th January 2018. The acting chair, Alf Wheeler, started the evening welcoming all those present and recalling the events of 2017. Alf noted that “ we started the year with a depleted committee, but luckily were able to enroll Julie Armstrong as Chair and Ann Dibble as Secretary. A variety of speaker meetings were held, ranging from canal history to prehistoric history in Wessex. The society has helped in community engagements such as assisting St Mary’s Church by providing a written commentary and...Read more

There have been Palaeolithic, old stone age, axes found in the area but the first settlement dates to about 10,000 years ago during the Mesolithic period, middle stone age. A series of shelters was erected on a pine covered gravel bluff near the modern sewage works on Lower Way Lane where flint tools were unearthed, as well as hearths and flint knapping floors. Excavated food and bones included those of the red deer, roe deer, wild pig, elk, horse, ox beaver, pine marten, fox, dog, wolf and wild fowl. The Bronze and Iron ages followed with settlements dotted about the area and then the Romans...Read more

Welcome to National History month! May is a month where many around the country are celebrating their local history. A few years back we had various events that took place, why don't you start by taking a look at our history facts, viewable here .Read more